Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to sustaining the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, emphasizing plans to enhance both its funding and quality.
Speaking as the guest of honor at the 66th anniversary of Swedru Secondary School on Saturday, March 22, Dr. Forson announced plans to amend the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act to allocate a portion of the fund to support Free SHS.
“Nananom, the Free SHS Policy has come to stay. Free Senior High School has come to stay. President John Dramani Mahama said I should tell you that free education, Free SHS has come to stay,” he declared.
Dr. Forson acknowledged two key challenges affecting the policy—sustainability and quality—and assured that resources would be made available to address these concerns. He emphasized that funds would be allocated for student accommodation, logistics, and feeding to improve overall learning conditions.
“However, there are two challenges that face the implementation of free secondary education. The first is how sustainable the Free SHS should be managed, and the second is the quality of the Free SHS education. The government would ensure that the funds for the accommodation, logistics, and feeding of students are available. The President said I should inform you that the arrears owed to the Ghana Education Trust Fund for the past eight years have been paid, as stated in the 2025 budget,” he said.
He further revealed that GETFund, which had suffered financial setbacks in recent years, has now been cleared of arrears. Moving forward, he assured that its funding would be protected to prevent diversions and ensure that Free SHS receives dedicated financial support.
“The 2025 allocation for Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is GHC4.1 billion, and this year, it will receive GHC9 billion. We will amend the Ghana Education Trust Fund Act to prevent the government from diverting these funds, ensuring that a portion is used specifically for Free SHS.”
Dr. Forson also assured parents and students that food supplies in schools would significantly improve under the new administration.
“Parents, students, President Mahama said I should assure you that the feed will improve this time round.”
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